Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George recently expressed significant admiration for Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton during an episode of Podcast P with Paul George. George remarked on Haliburton's potential, stating, "In my eyes, I think he is a superstar. He's the face of the NBA." He elaborated that Haliburton serves as the primary option on his team, noting his dual capability as both a playmaker and a late-game scorer. George highlighted Haliburton's effectiveness in clutch situations, underscoring his versatility as a player who can excel in isolation, even if that is not his primary role.

Tyrese Haliburton has played a crucial role in leading the Indiana Pacers to their second consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearance, where they currently hold a 3-1 series lead over the New York Knicks. This moment is particularly resonant for George, who spent the first seven years of his career with the Pacers, during which he developed into a star. He experienced reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2013 and 2014, and now observes Indiana on the brink of clinching its first NBA Finals appearance since 2000. The Pacers have shown remarkable dominance throughout their 2025 postseason campaign, first defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in five games during the first round, followed by a five-game series win against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.

Haliburton's performance during the playoffs has been instrumental for a Pacers team that concluded the regular season in the fourth position in the Eastern Conference standings. His postseason averages of 19.4 points, 9.8 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game demonstrate significant improvements over his regular-season stats. Notably, the Pacers exhibit a plus-9.7 net rating with Haliburton on the court during the playoffs, contrasting sharply with a minus-8.6 net rating in his absence, marking the most significant disparity among players on the team according to NBA.com. While Haliburton has yet to attain iconic status within the league—evidenced by his absence from 2025 MVP votes and only two All-Star selections—his prospects for wider recognition look promising should he help the Pacers secure their first Larry O'Brien Trophy.